15 Greatest Bass Solos in Metal History

We’ve already offered our choices for the 15 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time, so we’re shifting an octave lower celebrate the metal bassists who refuse to stick to root notes.

Whenever monster bass shredders come up, Dream Theater’s John Myung will always be in the conversation. As an original member of DT, Myung has melted his fretboard for 13 studio albums, but our choice for his best solo is “The Dance of Eternity.” The Metropolis Pt. 2 cut is absolutely stunning, especially as Myung’s runs are punctuated by the drums and guitar.

Between the Buried and Me transformed from metalcore mavens to prog gods with the release of 2007’s Colors. A track dedicated almost entirely to the bass, “Viridian” is set up to showcase Dan Briggs’ surgical precision and highly emotional compositions. One of BTBAM’s aims is to emulate bands like Pink Floyd, and like the solo to “Comfortably Numb,” the “Viridian” bass solo says much more than a vocal part ever could.

You’ll see plenty of tech death in this list. Steve DiGiorgio’s killer solo on Death’s “The Philosopher” got a prominent place in this Top 15, as did Obscura’s “Septuagint.” Our tech death king, however, is Cynic’s Sean Malone, who delivers unbelievable fingering and slapping on “Textures.” The Focus piece remains one of the high water marks for bassists not just in metal, but across all genres.

Check out our picks for the 15 Greatest Bass Solos in Metal History in the Loud List above.